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India just turned a net exporter of finished steel in October, shipping out 0.6 million metric tons, a 44.7% jump year-on-year. Imports, meanwhile, dropped over 55% to 0.5 million tons, marking a clear turnaround in trade momentum for the world’s second-largest steel producer.
Why it’s important: the numbers show India’s steel sector is regaining its export muscle even as domestic demand stays strong.
Production hit 13.4 million tons, up 10%, while consumption also rose 4.7%, meaning India is growing its output fast enough to serve both home and global markets.
What was India’s game: India pulled this off by ramping up steel production while cutting back on imports.
Global buyers also turned to India as a reliable supplier amid supply disruptions from China and Russia, helping exports surge nearly 45%. Lower imports, down 55% also played a big role, as India relied more on its own mills.
In short, higher output, stable local demand, and global market gaps together helped India flip the script and reclaim its position as a net steel exporter.
